Historic Gold for Harvinder Singh India’s First Paralympic Archery Champion

Prime Minister Modi Praises Singh’s Achievement as India’s Medal Tally Reaches 22

Indian athlete Harvinder Singh has made history by winning the gold medal in men’s recurve archery at the ongoing Paralympics 2024 in Paris. Singh’s triumph marks the first time an Indian archer has secured a gold medal at the Paralympics, contributing to India’s impressive tally of 22 medals in the Games. Singh defeated Poland’s Lukas  6-0 in a dominant performance to claim the top prize. This victory also ensures Singh’s second consecutive medal in the Paralympics, following his bronze win at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Prime Minister Modi’s Heartfelt Congratulations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Harvinder Singh, praising his remarkable achievement. Modi took to his X handle to commend Singh, stating, “A very special gold medal in para archery! Congratulations to Harvinder Singh for winning the gold medal in the men’s individual recurve open at the Paralympics 2024. His precision, focus, and unwavering spirit are superb. India is very happy and proud of his achievement.”

Harvinder Singh’s Inspiring Journey

Born in Kaithar village, Haryana, Harvinder Singh faced significant challenges from a young age. At just 1.5 years old, he lost mobility in his legs due to side effects from dengue treatment. Despite these setbacks, Singh’s determination led him to pursue sports, ultimately achieving remarkable success. His journey includes a debut at the Archery World Championship in 2017, where he finished 7th, and a gold medal at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

A Personal Tribute Amidst Triumph

Harvinder Singh’s victory is tinged with personal loss. Twenty days before winning the gold medal, Singh’s mother passed away. Reflecting on this, Singh expressed his emotional state, stating, “I lost my mother 20 days before the event. I was feeling mentally under pressure. I have lost a lot in life, even my mother. Therefore, I have achieved this gold medal with hard work and my mother’s blessings.”

Singh’s victory not only highlights his exceptional talent but also serves as a testament to his resilience and dedication.